The Launch Pad Competitions have led to more signings, success stories and careers than any other screenwriting competition. With a decade of experience in promoting up-and-coming writers, The Launch Pad Competition has firmly established itself as the premier hub for Hollywood to discover fresh voices and new ideas.  We advocate for all of our Top 100 finalists, working with them to share their work with the right industry members to advance their career. 

Our prestigious juries of industry members include managers, agents, producers and executives at companies across Hollywood. We also offer exclusive partnerships with management and production companies to give writers an extra leg up. 

Through these partnerships, as well as our exclusive mentorship opportunities, we seek to provide as many avenues towards success as possible.  No competition will do more to help all of their finalists take the next steps in their careers, and no competition has had as much success in helping writers break into the industry. Enter now for a chance to join this tradition of Launch Pad success.

A minimum of 1 project will be selected by Development Prize partner Citizen Skull, who will select one project from the Launch Pad Feature competition to develop with the writer(s).

Citizen Skull is a production and management company that specializes in developing and producing documentaries, television, features, animation, and digital content dedicated to compelling narratives. Their projects have premiered with HBO, Netflix, Sundance, National Geographic, Slamdance, TIFF, NYFF, and more. On the management side, Citizen Skull represents writers staffed on major network shows, and creators with content on a plethora of outlets and development deals at ABC, SONY, and various streamers.

The winners will be chosen based on the following criteria: (i) The originality and commerciality of the premise; (ii) The effectiveness of the plot and structure in serving that premise; (iii) The professional quality and creative use of the writing, formatting and presentation; (iv) The use of dialogue to advance the character, story and entertainment value of the project; (v) The originality, believability and emotional investment in the characters and their impact on the overarching story and themes.

Initial reads will be completed by professional industry readers, after which the top scored scripts will be named to a Second Round. At this point,  our internal team of readers will read all remaining submissions to allow for extensive internal discussions over the relative merits and weaknesses of each project. Through internal conferences, we narrow down a list of 100 finalists. At this point, writers may be asked to submit supplemental information (a brief bio, a bible for their tv pilot, etc.) to assist in the decision making process. 

Further rounds of internal reading and discussion, as well as consultations with our signing and development prize partners, narrows the finalists down to 10, at which point our panel of industry judges read each script and determine our winners. 

Any entrant may be deemed ineligible at the sole discretion of Launch Pad. We reserve the right to amend these rules at any time.

1. All scripts MUST BE submitted as a PDF.
2. All feature scripts must be under 120 pages (any script with more than 120 pages will be charged an additional $1 per page) 
3. Do not submit any form of pitch document with your feature script.
4. Do not include any identifying information (name, address, etc) on any page of your submission EXCEPT for the Title Page, which will be removed before sharing with readers to preserve anonymity. As such, the Title Page can include any information you would like. 
5. Scripts with multiple writers are allowed (however, all entry fees must be paid under one account and all prizes to be shared among writing partners).
6. If a writing team is chosen as a winner, prizes will be given to the person who submits the project. Each team is responsible for dividing or sharing any prizes awarded as they deem fair.
7. All submissions must be the sole property of the writer(s). Any submissions of existing characters and or stories not in the public domain, as well as any intellectual property that the writer does not own will be disqualified.
8. Features with a prior option are allowed, but at the time of submission and for the duration of the contest, must remain exclusively the writer’s property.
9. The only scripts not allowed to be entered are those which have already sold, been produced, have previously earned our “TB Recommends” or “Launch Pad Recommends” honors, or received a top 50 placement in a previous Launch Pad competition, regardless of format.
10. The Launch Pad uses Coverfly to manage our submissions and reads. Updated drafts will be accepted for a limited time through the Coverfly website only for a $6 fee.
11. The Launch Pad and all judges/readers will utilize whatever criteria they deem appropriate in deciding a winner.
12. All scripts will remain the property of the writer(s) throughout the contest (at no point will anyone from the judges panel, or Launch Pad ever attach themselves to your work without your consent).
13. Entrants may be contacted as a result of the contest by Launch Pad, its partners, the judging panel or other industry professionals in regards to representation, production, sale and/or option of the entered work.
14. Entrants are under no obligation to sell their work or otherwise attach themselves to representation in any form – this includes the guaranteed development and guaranteed signing add ons
15. General script entries will not receive feedback, however, you can opt to upgrade and receive feedback on your script submission.
16. The contest is open to entrants who will be 18 or older at the time of the winners announcement. It is an international contest and open to entrants worldwide.
17. The Launch Pad reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to change or modify these terms at any time without notice.
18. By entering this competition, you agree to receive periodic emails from The Launch Pad and The Tracking Board. You may unsubscribe to these at any time.
19. All entrants understand and agree to allow Launch Pad to post details on their script (title, writer’s name, logline, genre, and competition details) as well as regarding the writer (biography, picture) to their site, or sister site to help promote the entrants’ work.
20. By entering the competition, entrants are acknowledging their eligibility for the competition. The vast majority of entrants enter in good faith, and validating everyone at the entry stage would be inefficient and take away from efforts reading and finding the best scripts. Therefore, we check eligibility at the Top 100 Finalist stage, which allows us to confirm eligibility prior to winner selection. If an issue comes to our attention earlier, we will address eligibility issues in earlier rounds on a case-by-case basis.
21. All purchases and submissions are final. No refunds will be issued.
22. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
23. Except where prohibited by law, participation in the contest constitutes each entrant’s consent to LaunchPad and its agents’ and contest sponsor’s use of entrants’ names, likenesses, photographs, and/or personal information for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration. All uses of a entrants’ information are in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
24. You agree to release and hold harmless LaunchPad, its subsidiary, parent and affiliated companies, prize contributors, judges, readers, sponsors, and any other organizations responsible for administering, advertising, or promoting the competition, and every one of their respective members, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) past and present from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to damages and negligence to property and persons, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, copyright, infringement of trademark or other intellectual property rights relating to a participant’s entry, participation in the competition and/or acceptance or use or misuse of prize; provided however, that such release will not apply to any commercial exploitation of the script by a Released Party in violation of your rights under applicable copyright law; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the LaunchPad and its sponsors, agents, and employees from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys fees) relating to an entrant’s participation in the competition and/or entrant’s use or misuse of Prize.